SMART MATERIAL SOLUTIONS INC — Department of Defense STTR Phase II: NSF-14-608
SMART MATERIAL SOLUTIONS INC — STTR Phase II award from Department of Defense.
Phase II STTR prototype / development signal
- Phase II is where Department of Defense funds deeper R&D after feasibility. Incumbents with Phase II history are serious competitors on adjacent topics.
- Use this award as past-performance context and to map customer organizations for STRATFI/TACFI-style transition planning.
- Obligated amount $999,930 is consistent with substantial Phase II-scale effort; compare to related awards from the same agency.
- Topic code NSF-14-608 links this award to a solicitation family — search the same topic stem for incumbents and recompete timing.
- Amount
- $999,930
- Agency
- Department of Defense · Army
- Program / Phase
- STTR · Phase II
- Topic
- NSF-14-608
- Solicitation
- N/A
- NAICS
- —
- Place of performance
- NC
- Period
- 2019-09-20 → 2021-09-19
Description
Large-area, sub-wavelength texturing can convert walls, windows, ceilings, floors, and even vehicles into advanced surfaces that enhance, shield, or manipulate electromagnetic waves. These textures, or “nanopatterns,” enable transformational technologies for warfighter protection and advanced offensive capabilities. Applications include multispectral camouflage, holograms, heads-up displays, and augmented reality, and advancements contribute to the Army’s network of hardware and infrastructure “that can be used in any environment where the electromagnetic spectrum is denied or degraded,” the US Army’s Modernization Priority 4. Despite these benefits, large-area textured surfaces for the control of electromagnetic radiation have yet to see practical implementations. This is because traditional nanopatterning techniques are extremely slow and costly, prohibiting large-area scale-up. Smart Material Solutions, Inc.’s patented technology – nanocoining – overcomes this previously insurmountable obstacle. Nanocoining is hundreds of times faster than competing technologies like electron beam lithography and is unique in its ability to seamlessly nanopattern cylindrical molds for roll-to-roll manufacturing. This project will develop tools to design and fabricate sub-wavelength textures, then use scalable roll-to-roll processes to fabricate a large-area holographic optical element as a demonstration to Army contacts. This advancement will allow a host of revolutionary technologies to transition from the lab-scale demonstrations to large-area production.